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A Tale of Two `Kenyas’: An African Case of Societal Securitization

Saintsing, Matthew B.

Abstract Details

2015, Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, Political Science (Arts and Sciences).
Coastal Kenya has been subjected to terror attacks with alarming frequency, and an active insurgency is on the rise. Dwindling security threatens the stability of Kenya, with the coast being imperative for tourism revenue. It is vital that the Kenyan government acts to provide security. This thesis explores why the government of Kenya chooses to engage in ethnic profiling of Somalis, instead of engaging the true causes of insecurity. Securitization theory provides the framework to understand the motivations of Kenyan security policies. This thesis argues that Kenyan authorities seek to securitize Kenyan society by scapegoating marginalized Somalis and Muslims. To gain a full picture of security, 25 semi-structured interviews were collected in Malindi, Kenya in June 2014. Kenyan citizens recognize that the government in Nairobi ought to provide security for all citizens. Only through exploring disconnects between citizen perceptions of security and official policies can a full picture of security be understood.
Brandon Kendhammer (Committee Chair)
Myra Waterbury (Committee Member)
Sandal Nukhet (Committee Member)
63 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Saintsing, M. B. (2015). A Tale of Two `Kenyas’: An African Case of Societal Securitization [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1439562121

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Saintsing, Matthew. A Tale of Two `Kenyas’: An African Case of Societal Securitization. 2015. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1439562121.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Saintsing, Matthew. "A Tale of Two `Kenyas’: An African Case of Societal Securitization." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1439562121

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)